The Suzuki Swift arrives at its fourth generation, fifth if we consider the ancestor from the 1980s, with a new edition marked by continuity both in aesthetics and philosophy.
In my first test drive around Bordeaux and its surroundings, I drove its 4×4 version, always with the Mild Hybrid engine of 83 HP, making it the only compact car in its segment to offer this option, providing various driving satisfactions, although the Sport version is not currently available.
Suzuki Swift: Our tops and flops
The Suzuki Swift is one of the few vehicles under four meters still available in the European market, where it has always been among the best-selling. The new generation doesn’t revolutionize what we already know, staying in line with its predecessors, but introduces novelties in terms of technology, with a more efficient engine and excellent fuel consumption thanks to the small electric part, as well as a new infotainment system and more pleasant and comfortable interiors. I recommend it if you’re looking for a city car, but at the same time, you want a car with dynamic behavior suitable for long-distance trips, even if not with excessive loads.
What We Like:
- Good quality interiors;
- Excellent fuel consumption for a 4×4;
- Brilliant driving experience
What We Don’t Like:
- Annoying speed limit recognition signal;
- Lack of a center armrest for the driver;
- 4×4 available only with manual transmission
Suzuki Swift: prices in Scandinavia
Danish prices are not available yet.
- Hybrid Comfort – 234.900 SEK;
- Hybrid Select – 244.900 SEK;
- Hybrict Select AllGrip Auto 4×4 – 249.900 SEK;
- Hybrid Select CVT – 259.900 SEK;
- Hybrid Inclusive – 259.900 SEK;
- Hybrid Inclusive CVT – 274.900 SEK;
Norwegian prices are not available yet.
A More Refined Design
The design of the Swift is new, yet it maintains continuity with the outgoing model. The project is Japanese and aims to make the car more refined and less angular than in the past. While simple and clean in its lines, thanks to the new full LED headlights that also integrate fog lights, it also features some elements of sophistication. For example, there’s a clear separation between the upper and lower areas, with a rib running along the entire side just below the windows, then joining the rounded hood line, giving it a somewhat retro look.
The headlights are elongated with a new LED design, while at the rear, they maintain the same shape but have a transparent effect, with a dynamic and squared LED texture that I personally appreciated, making the car look a bit more aggressive, especially in gray or black colors. Even the design of the wheels, although small in proportion to the car for a distinctly Japanese appearance, has been renewed, being standard alloy with dual coloring.
There’s a variety of lively metallic color options, including the metallic Ocean Blue from the test, as well as Hawaiian Green (cover picture) Another choice is a black roof, giving the impression of being suspended thanks to the aforementioned separation between the upper and lower areas.
Inside, the cabin has been updated, again without major changes, with a driver-oriented approach. The front seats are comfortable for everyone, with height and depth adjustable seats, as well as a generous and well-designed steering wheel, both visually appealing and pleasant to grip.
There’s a new 9” display with updated infotainment, unfortunately not very fast, but also wirelessly compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are USB ports of both type A and type C, catering to everyone’s needs. As for materials, it’s certainly plastic but sturdy and well-assembled, with no creaking noises during the test. Additionally, the dashboard now features a new contrasting white texture for a better appearance, with a three-dimensional effect.
A central armrest is missing as standard, which would provide greater comfort.
However, taller individuals like myself, exceeding 1.90 meters, will have to make some sacrifices, especially since their knees will touch the front seats if the person in front is not very short.
Nevertheless, the equipment is complete, with a semi-digital dashboard, automatic climate control (still rare on these cars), Bluetooth recognition. The presence of physical buttons for climate control management is appreciated, being much simpler and more immediate.
Sporty Spirit
Unfortunately, the new Swift currently does not include a Sport version, which has also been highly appreciated in the current generation. The model therefore comes with a completely redesigned engine, losing a cylinder and joining the long list of 3-cylinder engines.
In this case, however, the 1.2 Z12E 12-volt engine of the Swift performs better than many competitors, being quieter and with a certain brilliance, and particularly frugal: the thermal efficiency is 40%, while emissions are 98 gCO2 per km, a record for a 12-volt mild hybrid, and 110 for the automatic version of the test.
Fuel consumption is also excellent: during my two-hour drive, I reached a value of 5 liters per 100 km with a very dynamic driving style and several accelerations, but with calm usage, especially in the single-wheel drive version, they should be lower. This is also thanks to the empty weight below 1000 kg, about 600, which makes a significant difference.
The chassis is generally stiff, deliberately, with the new front suspensions. The diameter of the front stabilizer bar has been increased to increase the spring constant, while Teflon-coated bushings have been added to the stabilizer supports, which increase their rigidity to reduce friction during oscillation. Conversely, the rear ones have a longer stroke, especially on the 2WD models, to provide greater comfort for rear occupants.
With the Allgrip all-wheel-drive, I noticed a good response and a fairly unexpected acceleration for a 3-cylinder with 83 hp. Of course, we’re talking about the proven system that engages the all-wheel-drive when it detects traction loss on the front wheels, and therefore designed to optimize consumption.
However, all this, together with the stiffer suspension, gives the car a distinctly youthful and quite enjoyable spirit, with precise but never too stiff manual transmission, up to five gears, and with a not excessive clutch stroke. Of course, we’re talking about a compact car, not the quietest in its segment, but still quite comfortable even for a long journey.
The automatic variant is available only with 2WD traction, unfortunately, and enjoys a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to further improve efficiency.
Watch Out for Sounds
All safety systems are included as standard, including “Lane Departure Prevention” (LDP), “Adaptive Cruise Control” (ACC), “Traffic Sign Recognition” (TSR), “Blind Spot Monitor” (BSM), “Rear Cross Traffic Alert” (RCTA), “eCall,” “High Beam Assist” (HBA), “Hill Hold Control,” and “ACC with Stop&Go” (only on automatic).
However, speed limit recognition, or “Traffic Sign Recognition” (TSR), is a real nightmare. Not because it doesn’t work well, on the contrary, because it’s too sensitive. Simply exceeding the limit by as little as 3 km/h makes it start beeping, and it’s very annoying. Considering that cruise control cannot be activated below 50 km/h to reduce errors, the effect is unfortunately very negative, especially because there was no way to deactivate it.